Great review. I especially loved (because it was how I felt about Asylum, too) how you mentioned the previous game didn't do all it could do with the rogue's gallery. To me, it was hard to pick which was better between Asylum or Shattered Dimensions. Asylum was tighter as far as controls, camera and the like, but I preferred how SD had so many villains for Spidey to fight (even if they took liberties with them, like making a futuristic female Doc Ock, when none actually existed in the 2099 series from what I read).

Thanks for reading! I always thought I reviewed Arkham Asylum and it turns out that I didn't, so know that I thought it was an exceptional, and in some cases groundbreaking game that left me underwhelmed in just enough areas to warrant a sequel. So when I say that Arkham City makes it look like a practice run, I mean it. And again, that's especially impressive given how little has changed mechanically.

I'm a little distracted by Dark Souls now to bite into this one, but I'm glad to hear it's lived up to its predecessor while acknowledging how much further the concept could be pushed. And thanks for writing a review which explains the "why" behind this, rather than just blathering out unspecific praise. Looks like a good game for me to pick up over the break.

Note to gamers: when someone shoots you in the face, they aren't "gay." They are "psychopathic."

I'm playing Arkham City right now (must be near the end) and much to my surprise I think it's a brilliant game.

I actually bought Asylum yesterday despite hating what little I played of it a couple of years ago. I must have been playing it wrong or something, because I can't understand why I felt cold towards it the first time.

Anyway, this review provides an excellent alternate perspective from someone who has played Asylum (well-thought out relevant comparisons, even to me) and from someone who knows his Batman. Loved reading it. Nice job.

I haven't had a chance to finish getting 100% on the game, but I really really enjoyed Arkham City. It was much better than I'd anticipated. What I mean is that, while I liked Arkham Asylum, it felt like that system could only be taken so far. And if you break down City to its basic gameplay, it's crazy that they manage to make the concept stay fresh throughout the whole experience. It really is a return, in my mind, to the old beat em up games. This feels like a very very modern Double Dragon.

Note to gamers: when someone shoots you in the face, they aren't "gay." They are "psychopathic."

Thanks. Glad to hear that you're enjoying the game, Ben, especially since I believe I remember you saying on Twitter a while back that you were going to skip Arkham City altogether. It really is a brilliant game.

Indeed! Between a friend constantly pestering me to play his personal 2011 Game of the Year and the relative cheapness of it in stores now, I eventually gave in and got City. Totally, totally worth it.